This year, Tuesday, 5 February 2019, marks the Lunar New Year (widely known as Chinese New Year), which is celebrated throughout Bangkok. Below are some venues with colorful celebrations worth checking out.

1. Bangkok’s Chinatown – This is THE place to soak in the vibrancy and cheer of Chinese New Year. From noon to midnight, the free celebrations span the main stretch of Yaowarat Road, from the Royal Jubilee Gate, and onto connecting streets. There will be cultural performances, concerts and an exhibit in honour of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 5 February 2019. On 6 February, enjoy lion dances, lucky draws and additional performances. Road traffic will be restricted in the area and it is generally very crowded. Plan accordingly if you have small children in tow.

2. Emporium & EmQuartier – The shopping complexes play host to aerial performances 40 metres above the ground, as well as a huge dragon made of mirrors. There are dining specials at Helix Dining (6th to 9th floors) and EmQuartier Chinese Boulevard at Quartier Avenue on the ground floor. Celebrations are from 10am to 10pm from today until 5 February 2019.

3. Iconsiam – Until 5 February 2019, from 10am each day, the capital’s newest mega-mall features shows by the world-renowned Hunan Acrobatic Art Theatre, a 108-metre long dragon illuminated by LED lights (starting at 6.30pm), Chinese traditional opera, Chinese musical shows, lion dances, zodiac-based fortune telling and other activities related to Chinese culture and art. Also, expect lots of shopping and dining promotions.

4. Sea Life Bangkok – The aquarium, located in the basement of Siam Paragon, is putting on an underwater mermaid show based on the Thai folktale “Phra Aphai Manee”, where performers swim alongside sea creatures. There will also be lion dances at 11.45am, 2pm, 3.30pm and 4.45pm until 8 February 2019. The entrance fee is 990 baht (790 baht for children and a 30% discount for those born in the Year of the Pig and their companions).

5. Korean Cultural Center – Located between Sukhumvit soi 15 and 17, the centre will celebrate “Happy Seollal, Korean New Year 2019”. They will have Korean cultural activities such as saebae (Korean bowling), a tteok-me demo (rice cake pounding), bokjumeoni (fortune pouches) making and more. There will also be traditional plays and classic Lunar New Year dishes to sample. Admission is free.